Press

IDG’s PC World Continues As The Nation’s
Largest Business for Technology Magazine

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 22, 2001 – For the second consecutive period, PC World topped all other business and technology magazines in overall paid circulation, according to the most recent Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) Fas-Fax Report for the six months ending December 31, 2000. PC World grew its total circulation by more than 4%, adding an average of 49,408 copies per issue. Further analysis of the second half of 2000 shows that PC World sold more single copies per issue than PC Magazine; and when totaled, PC World's six newsstand issues outsold PC Magazine's ten issues by more than 40,000 copies.

An Analysis of ABC Fas-Fax Report

PC World vs. Selected Business and Technology Publications

Total Average Paid Circulation

Six Months Ended

12/31/00 PC World Advantage Total Average Single Copy Sales

Six Months Ended

12/31/00 Cover Price

Six Months Ended

12/31/00

PC WORLD 1,265,443 — 143,283 $5.99

PC Magazine 1,228,362 37,081 81,940 $4.99

ZD Smart Business 1,001,591 263,852 34,801 $4.99

Business Week* 949,860 315,583 39,008 $3.95

Forbes 884,201 381,242 48,448 $4.95

Fortune* 853,267 412,176 84,158 $4.95

Fast Company 586,791 678,652 49,864 $4.95

* North American edition.

"One key measure of a publication's editorial quality is single copy sales, because newsstand buyers have the opportunity to thumb through different magazines to find the one with the most useful information," commented Bob Ostrow, PC World publisher. "PC World's ability to sell more single copies than these competitive publications-at a price that's at least $1.00 higher-demonstrates that readers prefer its superior, product-focused editorial." And syndicated readership research also proves PC World is reaching its target of tech-savvy managers. The Fall 2000 MRI Study, for example, shows the publication attracts more managers who bought computer products for business than any measured computer or business publication. Ostrow continued: "With its generous bonus over rate base and competitive CPMs, PC World delivers high-tech marketers an audience of business decision-makers unmatched by all others."

In addition, PC World has received industry recognition for its quality circulation practices. Citing its clean and strong audit history, Capell's Circulation Report recently named PC World to its list of the "Best Audit Reports of the Decade" (1990s). The computer monthly was honored by Circulation Management magazine with a 2000 Circulation Excellence "Silver" Award in the category of consumer magazines with circulation of more than one million. And, PC World moved up to 55th in Magazine & Bookseller's January 2001 list of "Top Magazines by Dollar Expenditures," for the first half of 2000.

"In a competitive and challenging market, PC World's award-winning editorial and smart circulation practices are a winning combination," stated Shawne Burke Pecar, vice president of consumer marketing. "An indispensable resource and a trusted publishing brand for nearly two decades, PC World continues to appeal to its core audience of management-level computer product buyers."

PC World Communications, Inc. is the publisher of PC World and PCWorld.com (www.pcworld.com) and is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading IT media, research and exposition company. The winner of the 1999 and 2000 Grand Neal Award for editorial excellence, PC World is the world's largest computer publication with a circulation rate base of 1.25 million. With an average of 1.3 million unique visitors per month (Media Metrix, Jan. – Dec. 2000), PCWorld.com is a leading online resource for PC-product buyers and users. IDG publishes more than 300 computer magazines and newspapers and 4,000 book titles in 80 countries and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (http://www.idg.net), which comprises more than 270 targeted Web sites in 70 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related expositions in 35 countries, and research arm International Data Corporation (IDC) provides computer industry research and analysis through 50 offices i

n 43 countries worldwide. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.